Best International PC Game 2009: Runes of Magic

Berlin, 10 December 2009: The public vote at this year’s German Game Developer Award has gone to the free-to-play online role play game Runes of Magic, with the game lifting the trophy in the category of‘Best International PC Game 2009’. Publisher Frogster has also announced the reaching of yet another milestone: The product from the house of Runewaker Entertainment can currently point to over 2.5 million registered players in the USA, Europe and Korea.

Players from all across Germany were summoned to vote in the public ballot for their favourite games of 2009. Within the category of‘Best International PC Game 2009’, Runes of Magic found itself having to battle it out with titles such as Risen and Anno 1404. The award ceremony was held at a grand gala event in the Essen Lichtburg– Germany’s largest film theatre.

The award was accepted on behalf of Frogster and Runewaker Entertainment by Frogster management board member Dirk Weyel, who commented:“We are thrilled to receive this trophy, especially with it being one awarded by actual players themselves. We would expressly like to thank our community and we'll continue to work intensively on offering players the maximum of fun with Runes of Magic.” To celebrate the day and also as a thank-you, Frogster is giving every player with a character that reached level 11 at least 100 Rubies which will be automatically credited to players’ accounts in the course of the day. Further information about the German Developer Awards can be found at: www.deutscher-entwicklerpreis.de

Runes of Magic has also been nominated for further honours: In the‘Massively’s End-of-the-Year Reader’s Choice Awards’ the online role play game has been entered into various categories by the editorial team. Voting is continuing up until 31st December of this year at:

Runes of Magic has redefined the standard for free-to-play MMORPGs in terms of gameplay, fun and quality. The online role play game carries an exciting, multi-layered story, driven by more than 2,300 quests set in the atmospheric fantasy world of Taborea. To date, Runes of Magic has attracted more than 2 million registered users, making it one of the most successful titles in the free-to-play segment, and a must play game for all fans of RPGs and MMO Games.

Runes of Magic features a unique dual class system enabling players to combine one of eight primary classes with a secondary class. The result is a deep player experience that expands upon the game’s deep customization offering. There are two different playable races, Elves and Humans, from which players can choose. Each dual class combination produces its own powerful elite skills. Another popular feature is the opportunity to furnish your own completely individual virtual home, and guilds can construct guild castles, which can be expanded with additional buildings. Thanks to comprehensive crafting and reputation systems, gripping PvP features, deep customization and demanding dungeons, Runes of Magic has something for everyone.

Taiwanese developer Runewaker regularly expands the game world with new free content and challenges.

Runes of Magic Features

Dual class system with eight classes and unique elite skills*> Individual furnishing of player housing and guild castles*> In-depth story experienced through above 2,300 quests laced with epic quest-lines*> Gripping Player-versus-Player duels in arenas and on the battlefield*> Easy travel usingportal stones and a wide range of rideable animals*> Challenging boss-combat in dangerous and extensive dungeons with up to 36 simultaneous players*> Entertaining mini-games offering variety to the hero’s routine*> Dynamic crafting and customization of items*> Regular comprehensive free updates with new game content*> Free-to-Play: No monthly subscriptions, free to download the game*>

Runewaker Entertainment was founded in August of 2004, with the headquarters located in Taichung, Taiwan. The founding members are all very experienced in the field and decided to come together to pursue their own dream. Currently Runewaker employs over 40 highly skilled programmers, designers and artists and is constantly expanding. Runewaker specializes in making massively multiplayer online role playing games (MMORPG). The company has built their own engine from scratch that rivals some of the best that is available out on the market. Their first product, Radiant Arcana (Runes of Magic), is already completed and currently in Open Beta Phase in China. Runewaker is currently producing more content for Runes of Magic. Webpage: http://www.runewaker.com

About Frogster

The Berlin based Frogster Interactive Pictures AG , listed on the stock exchange, has focused on the growth sector of massively multiplayer online games (MMOGs) at an early stage already. The company licenses, markets and operates its virtual worlds for millions of players in Europe, Asia and North America. In Europe its subsidiary Frogster Online Gaming GmbH is taking care of the operating business of the Frogster group. The Korean joint venture Frogster Asia Co. Ltd. based in Seoul develops new MMO games with an internal team and markets virtual worlds in Asia. Frogster America Inc. based in San Francisco, USA, markets and operates MMO games in North America. At their offices in Berlin, Seoul and San Francisco, the Frogster group employs more than 130 staff members in the fields of game development, licensing, IT, web design and web development, product management, marketing, PR, web publishing, community management, customer support, hosting, sales, billing and finance/administration. In the year 2008, Frogster won the“Landmark in the Land of Ideas”, a competition under the patronage of the German President Dr. Horst Köhler. Additional information is available at: www.frogster.de

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